With Karl Joseph doubtful, Shalom Luani could be Raiders' safety net

ALAMEDA -- With Karl Joseph listed as doubtful Friday with a groin injury, the Raiders will are likely to take a dramatic hit in terms of experience on the back end of their defense against the Buffalo Bills.

Joseph was limited in practice Wednesday, but sat out Thursday and Friday, and in almost every case, players listed as doubtful don't play on Sunday.

The Raiders' strong safety and second-leading tackler has played 440 of the Raiders' 450 snaps this season on defense, trailing only free safety Reggie Nelson, who hasn't missed a snap all year.

Candidates to start include rookie Shalom Luani, veteran Keith McGill and Erik Harris, a waiver claim before the start of the regular season who is primarily a special teams player.

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Although McGill has the most defensive snaps (25), coach Jack Del Rio sounded as if the nod would go to Luani.

He's got great instincts and is a natural playmaker, Del Rio said. He's been champing at the bit for an opportunity. If Karl doesn't end up being able to go, then he's excited to get his turn.

Luani was impressive throughout training camp and the preseason, showing an ability to be around the ball, a skill that manifested itself in Week 1 when he recovered an onsides kick attempt by the Tennessee Titans to begin the season.

The Raiders second-leading preseason tackler to Nicholas Morrow with 14, Luani also had an interception -- something the Raiders have yet to accomplish through seven games. Luani has played just five snaps in seven games on defense while being a core special teams performer.

We're a next man up outfit, Del Rio said. That's how we'll proceed with it. Shalom, obviously, is a young man that we're excited about. He's looking forward to getting a little more action than he's had.

Starting cornerback David Amerson, who didn't practice all week with a foot injury, was ruled out against the Bills along with rookie Gareon Conley. Those who were questionable include punter Marquette King (groin), linebacker Cory James (knee), linebacker Marquel Lee (ankle), Morrow (ankle) and tackle Marshall Newhouse (foot).

Tight end Lee Smith (knee) was a full participant in practice, removed from the injury report and will face his former team.

The big news for Buffalo was a trade of occasionally troubled star defensive tackle Marcell Darius to the Jacksonville Jaguars for a sixth-round draft pick, which puts Cedric Thornton next in line.

Besides being without Darius, starting cornerback E.J. Gaines is out with a hamstring injury and starting safety Jordan Poyer is a game-time decision and questionable with a knee injury.

Charles Clay, the starting tight end, is out and will miss his second straight game with a knee injury and inside linebacker Ramon Humber is out for the third consecutive game.

-- Running back Elijah Hood, promoted from the practice squad with Marshawn Lynch on suspension, is hopeful of being active and getting his first NFL regular-season action on special teams or running back.

Hood, a seventh-round pick from North Carolina, last played in the third preseason game on Aug. 26 in Dallas and had three carries for 20 yards. He had eight carries for 32 yards in two preseason games.

It's exciting and I can't wait to get out there and put my best foot forward, Hood said. I've been working toward this my whole life, playing a game on an NFL field.

Hood said he would have to guard against being overly excited.

You don't want to go out there and be too amped up, Hood said. There's a certain amount of emotional control necessary when you're preparing for something like this. Even though it's exciting, I've got to make sure I apply my emotions in the correct way.